Shoe Polishing Awards
The whole idea of industry awards is really quite interesting and something that can often make you wonder when you see pictures in the newspapers or trade magazines of people holding their prizes for excellence in things you never heard of!
Recently we were caught in the “eye of the storm” and were first hand witnesses to the whole process, the effort, the submission, the anticipation, the nomination, the curiosity, the event, the nervousness, the elation, the photos, the congratulations and then the press coverage.
We were nominated and proudly won a national award for Excellence in PR, for work we did on the Cystic Fibrosis, St.Vincents campaign last year.
It was a total whirlwind for us, our whole team and even our families, clients and friends who were all waiting in the wings to celebrate our success or not as the case might have been.
While it wasn’t Hollywood, for us it was our Oscars and having won the award we celebrated and basked in a huge ray of satisfaction and achievement, just like Jeff Bridges may have done earlier this year.
Awards are relevant for every industry, wherever people and businesses take pride in what they do day in, day out, no matter what it is.
When you really think about it why should an industry hold awards?
1. To raise the profile of an industry and those operating within it
2. To help people’s understanding of the industry
3. Raise the standards within the industry
4. Acknowledge the important aspects of the industry and recognise some of the silent heroes
5. Generate a sense of pride for the industry and the entrants
6. Achieve PR for the entrants and the industry
7. It gets people talking about the industry – the entrants will happily spread the award
8. A great occasion for the players in an industry to come together and celebrate their profession
9. Generates excitement for the entrants and a huge sense of purpose and satisfaction
10. Tangible evidence of high standards through trophies and certificates that appear in meeting rooms around the country
11. Terrific Fundraising opportunity –once nominated people will attend!
Having been through the process we are already thinking about next year and wondering which project will we be able to submit for an award. We’re hooked!
Whatever industry you’re in, even if that is Shoe Polishing, Go On, enter the awards, enjoy the journey and win yourself that Oscar!
Greg Canty is a partner of Fuzion Communications
